Bulgaria Under-21 national team ended with a win in the qualifiers for EURO 2017. Antoni Zdravkov`s players beat Romania with 2:0 at "Beroe" stadium in Stara Zagora. Thus the young “lions” finished in second place in the group standings, something which happens for the first time since 2001 in a group with more than three teams. 15 years ago Dimitar Alexiev`s team also finished in second place after a defeat against the Czech Republic in Teplice in its last match. Interestingly, back than Denmark was once again in our group.
The national players played an excellent match and dominated on the pitch. The match started well for the young "lions" who opened the score in the 16th minute. Alexander Vasilev crossed from the left side, Despodov tried to score, the ball ricocheted off the post but Toni Tasev was in the right place and found the net for 1:0.
Soon after Alexander Vasilev tried to surprise the goalie with a long shot but the ball went wide.
In the 35th minute Bulgaria doubled its lead. Malinov made a through ball to Vutov in the box. Lecce`s midfielder crossed to Despodov who missed the ball, but Alexander Georgiev was in the right place to score for 2:0.
In the end of the first part Georgi Kitanov had to intervene saving Tudorie`s shot.
Five minutes after the break the result could have been 3:0. Malinov crossed to Vutov, who shot, but the goalie saved.
A few minutes later Milcho Angelov came from the bench and could have scored but his header went wide.
By the end the result remained unchanged and so Bulgaria completed its qualifying campaign with a deserved victory.
Thus Bulgaria finished in second place with 17 points in Group 5. However, our boys failed to qualify for the play-offs. Romania is in third place with 16 points. Denmark won the first place with 28 points and qualified for the EURO 2017 finals in Poland. Wales, Luxembourg and Armenia finished in last three positions with 16, 6 and 1 points respectively.
Bulgaria – Romania 2:0
Goalscorers: Toni Tasev (16), Aleksander Georgiev (35)
Yellow cards: Galabov, Vasilev (Bulgaria); Olteanu, Nedelcu (Romania)
BULGARIA: 1. Kitanov, 19. Vasilev, 5. Galabov, 8. Gamakov - C., 17 Terziev, 18. Kolev, 15. Malinov, 14. Georgiev, 21. Tasev (78-Yuliyan Nenov), 20. Vutov (74-Serkan Yusein), 7. Despodov (63-Milcho Angelov)
Coach: Antoni Zdravkov
Romania: 12. Cojocaru (GK), 4. Olteanu, 6. Miron, 15. ?iru (C), 3. Hodorogea, 13. Popescu (59-Gradinaru), 16. Nedelcu (78-Cristea), 10. Bumba, 11. Capa?ina (82-Manea), 20. Calcan, 9. Tudorie
Coach: Cristian Dulca (ROU)
Department "Public Relations and Media"
